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HAM Radio Legislation Regarding Community Associations Does Not Pass the Senate

Attorney Charlie Perkins has been following this bill since its introduction in the House of Representatives and, like the Community Association Institute, is concerned it will take away existing review procedures for community association boards regarding radio antennae. The CAI has sent out a notice on the subject as follows:

Ham Radio Legislation Fails in the 114th Congress

The 114th Congress has finished all legislative business and H.R. 1301, legislation concerning HAM radio in community associations, was not approved by the Senate. This means the bill is dead and the legislation’s sponsors must begin the process again in the 115th Congress, which will be sworn in on January 3, 2017.

CAI successfully amended H.R. 1301 from its original language, securing a compromise that permitted HAM radio in associations, but required prior approval by the association and protected association architectural prerogatives. The legislation was opposed by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) both in its original and amended forms and this opposition prevented Senate approval of the compromise legislation. In the 115th Congress, Sen. Nelson is expected to continue in his leadership position as Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over legislation and statutes concerning federal communications policy. Sen. Nelson was instrumental in forcing proponents of H.R. 1301 to negotiate with CAI, but in the end opted to oppose any legislative action on H.R. 1301.